Eight key features of an age-friendly community

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Age-Friendly focuses on eight main themes which provides a comprehensive picture of each community’s age-friendliness. These themes cover the essential features of the community’s structure and its physical environment, as well as the extent to which its services and policies reflect the determinants of active aging. The themes are as follows:

Outdoor spaces and buildings

Create supportive physical environments, including age-friendly outdoor spaces and building design, that enhances physical well-being and quality of life, accommodates independence, fosters social interaction and enables people to conduct their daily activities. Examples include well-maintained sidewalks, parks and walking trails and accessible buildings with ramps and automatic doors.TransportationProvide access to transportation that allows seniors and others to carry out daily activities such as; volunteering, shopping, attending appointments, and participating in social, cultural and recreational activities. Examples include the affordability and availability of Handi-van, buses, and volunteer drivers.

Transportation

Provide access to transportation that allows seniors and others to carry out daily activities such as; volunteering, shopping, attending appointments, and participating in social, cultural and recreational activities. Examples include the affordability and availability of Handi-van, buses, and volunteer drivers.

Housing

Offer housing choices to accommodate the needs and desires of older people to remain independent for as long as possible in their homes and by offering local housing options as needs change. Examples include: affordable and available housing options for independent living, assisted and supportive living near health and community services and personal care homes.

Respect and social inclusion

Provide social opportunities that include and recognize seniors so they can continue to contribute to and benefit from community life. Promote social participation and inclusion to reduce feelings of loneliness, increase feelings of respect and have a positive impact on health. Examples include: opportunities for intergenerational activities and events, family and friends networks, the promotion of positive qualities of aging and a reduction in crime and vandalism.

Social participation

Encourage older people to remain active through social networks and social participation for increased physical and mental activity, feelings of belonging, and overall healthy living. Examples include: affordable and conveniently located physical activity, social and cultural programs for all ages.Communication and InformationKeep community members informed about community events, emergency response strategies, and relevant information. Examples include: the availability of information for community services, senior services, community directory, resident information for community emergencies and a maintained resource centre.

Communication and information

Keep community members informed about community events, emergency response strategies, and relevant information. Examples include: the availability of information for community services, senior services, community directory, resident information for community emergencies and a maintained resource centre.

Civic participation and employment opportunities

Offer a range of community opportunities through civic participation, employment and volunteer positions that allows seniors and all residents to stay active and involved and to feel personal fulfillment for contributing their time, knowledge and skills. Examples include volunteer opportunities, volunteer recognition, and employment opportunities.

Community support and health services

Provide professional, medical and personal services that meet the positive aspects of health and community support. Examples include: Available and affordable community supports such as congregate meal programs, home care, and integrated health care services.